| Author | Message | ||
     Josh |
I only see a few new names added to the known vocal list of Buell bashers. | ||
| Bomber |
no one KNOWS what percentage of Buell owners are satisfied . . .. . and, since what a number of people of said about unhappy consumers making more noise than happy ones is true in every area of trade, this forum will likely not answer that question to anyone's satisfaction . . . . the signal to noise ratio around here sure has shifted, though ;-} | ||
| Madduck |
Et al, The most important thing to Buell will always be future customers. My opinion poll consists of ging to my HD/Buell dealer and checking inventory and prices. I do not believe he sold one tube frame this summer and he has a really nice selection in stock with prices at about his cost. The new XB9R's also seem to be real slow sellers. There has to be a reason a sportster is more popular than an M2 at about the same price. Paul | ||
| Pinkpank |
My oh my, I'm gone for a few months and come back to THIS?!? Pardon for momentarily pulling you all back to a "mechanical" topic, but being a NEW owner of a 2000 M2 (and one-year owner of a Blast, which I still have), I have a few quick questions. I'm also trawling the archives, but all the talk of "parts failing" scared me into posting this NOW rather than until I read all the old threads! Are there any preventative items I should be checking on my bike before riding it on any prolonged trips, or even around town? 2000 M2, 2185 miles, yellow, first bought 03/2001 with extended warranty, showroom condition, White Bros E-series with all discs and end cap, new Conti tires. Just bought this bike last Sat in Duluth for $4500, now home in downtown Chicago in my underground garage. She just had oil done at 2000 mi. Love the bike, so far. She has more personality than all my other bikes combined (including the Blast and ZX-11). But a few things make me wonder. After warming fully, she seems to "ping" a lot with anything more than minimal throttle off of a dead stop. Is this the typical lean condition of an unmodified carb bike with exhaust changes? I thought the White Bros E-series did not need re-jetting? It IS cold outside - about 55 degrees. What's up with the tranny part that can fail? Is there something I should be watching? What about the shock recall? What should I look for, and is there a recall, and if so, why am I reading more about recalled shocks failing than original shocks failing?!? ;-0 I'm aware of the speedo and rocker box gasket failures (see Blast), and although I have not had those problems in either bike (yet), I'm ready and will be able to deal with those. A new transmission or new heads, on the other hand, I would rather avoid. Any reason NOT to go to synthetic oil on this beast? My Kawi dealer used to tell me back in 1991 that I should NEVER use synthetic oil, but by 1999 they admitted it was OK and that I made a good choice with Mobil 1 way back when they told me not to. I just don't see why "HD Oil" should be better for this bike - unless the seals are so poor that they can't stand synthetic. ;-) Thanks in advance - feel free to copy me at buell@pinkpank.com with any urgent advice - I will return to scouring the archives now. Gimme a year, and I'll see if I still love this bike or not . . . so far, so good (in 100 miles). Oliver '00 M2 '00 P3 | ||
| Bomber |
duck . . .your dealer got any M2Lows hangin around? | ||
| Eeeeek |
Anony: You're killing me, man.
Yes, a month or two ago one person posted a personal attack against Erik and I removed it. What's your point? I'm not seeing that here or now. Right when something breaks, people can get emotional. What I'm reading today is people recounting experiences long after they happened in a clear ration matter; this is, until you came along. Finally, for BigJ, his motorcycle was not a toy, it was his only means of transportation. If I remember correctly, it was down for over seven months due to mechanical failures. I can see why you remain anonymous. Vik | ||
| Eisanmann |
I think it may be coincidence or maybe not. Been following this site for a couple'a days now and it seems to me that the ones without any major problems own pre '99 Buells. Don't get me wrong now! I own a '97 S3 with about a zillion miles on it, been a good bike. Its kinda like my old Farmall Super A. Ya know , change the implements and ya have ta "tweakit" a little here and there until it works right. Some seem to think ya can buy a new piece, bolt her on and let her eat.I think Ya have to treat'em with a little more respect. Start her up,get off look around a bit,she gets warm to the touch, ya go to work(or for a ride) Ya finish for the day, get off look her over wipe it off, look for things that are loose or missing or even broke and you repair'em before ya use it again. Well anywho, I'm a pretty satisfied owner myself. Ya know I've never been to the dealer for any reason other then to say "Hey" to the local BRAG members. Damn, thats about a sixty mile hike one way! Thats all I gotta say about that! | ||
| Greestlightnin |
Satisfied...yeah, pretty much...I think,...Had battery issues, change-over kit solved the problem. Broke the header bracket at the collector a few weeks back, twenty bucks to get it welded, not too bad. Can't think of anything else. '98 S1W, bought in Aug. '97, ridden fairly aggressively for about 10K. Yeah, mark down one more satisfied. | ||
| Andrewb |
Count me: Satisfied I've a '97 S3, bought used at a HD dealer last year with a 1 year warrantee. Me and S3 have covered 8500 miles so far, with only a sidestand switch failure. A whole paragraph no cussing...wow  | ||
| Jvv |
My goodness, I usually read all these posts, but rarely respond to them. It is interesting though, to read the varied and changing opinions over the years, not to mention some the newly formed misconceptions. Firstly, to blame Erik personally for the end product is preposterous, with exceptions, of the early S1's, S2's and their predecessors. Which, by the way are (were) a pretty good bike. True that Eric did own 51% of BMC and the mother company had 49%...............but that was quite a while ago. So common logic dictates that he is in the driver's seat and can run the show..... WRONG ....The problem being (back then) the partnership agreement was drawn up in such a manner that BMC could only sell bikes to Harley and no one else. They not only controlled the money, but the sales ...........and all else. Having your name on the tank meant a lot in 1917, the brothers has "total" control. Not so today or (back then) Anyone who has been around motorcycles for a few decades knows that they're basically "toys" and you have to "tinker" with them. This has changed dramatically in the past 15 or so years. I have recommended Buell's to quite a few friends ( all previous motorcycle owners) and they love their bikes. In the same token, I have recommended not getting a Buell to those who wanted a gas it up and go bike. Buells are what the are!! As I said before (many times) ..............the Buell experience is ......"a state of mind"............. NOT just a motorcycle. Some of the other bikes that I have, are, great bikes, but nothing else !. I hung out on BBS when there would be half a dozen posts all day. Sometimes just Blake Court and Ferris, but, because of this venue, I rode my S1 up to Portland for Ferris's blue groove (over 100 Buells and Erik in attendance, what a sight going thru the twistys with that group), there were the homecommings, the L S R attempts, being involved with starting up ASBN not to mention the thousands and thousands of miles riding with other Buell guys. Only because it was a Buell, not because it was a motorcycle. There IS a difference both in the bike and the people who favor them...... anyway............Ride safe........Jack | ||
| Madduck |
Bomber, Yes he does have a 2001 M2L. Weiblers, Davenport Iowa. 563-355-3071 ask for joe fox. Paul | ||
| Roc |
Pinkpank - are you lugging it at low RPM? Transmission - Old style primary chain adjusters can fail, I don't know what years. General - keep your bike clean and check for problems, loose nuts/bolts, bad wires, leaks, when you clean it. I love my S1 and I would buy another Buell, probably a used tuber. I've thought about selling it a time or two, but what would I buy - "personality goes along ways"? I like to work on it. | ||
| Pinkpank |
Roc - Yes, that is at low RPM, but I'm not throttling it very much. Just my recently lightened self at 185 lb trying to leave a level stoplight without slipping the clutch much (right off idle). I don't have a feel for RPM on this bike, but I would estimate that it sounds like a strong "pinging" (rattling sound) if I'm under 2000 rpm (any of the first three gears) and the throttle is over ~5 degrees open. I can easily avoid that by coming off the line with more RPM or by keeping the throttle very, very low until ~2000 rpm, but that's not the way I normally ride . . . . Is timing something a dealer could check for me while I wait?!? Or I could do myself with a timing light? TIA Oliver | ||
| Reepicheep |
Pinkpank... thanks for bringing us back on topic. Get the new metal rocker box gaskets, and have them handy. As each of the originals go, just replace them. An easy evenings work for each. Get an updated primary chain tensioner, and swap it out with your next primary fluid change. You already have the updated detent plate. You will need a primary cover gasket as well, and gasket remover will make your life happier (getting the old gasket off the primary cover is the hardest part of the job). Get the updated front muffler mount. Do this one asap. It will relocate the voltage regulator, when you install it make sure you have a good ground (I ran a strap). If your shock recall has not been done, look into getting it done before the recall expires, and make the dealer order the part and do the paper work ahead of time. Watch for leaking. Watch your rear isolators between the engine and frame. Mine are still fine at 12k miles (2kM2 also). If you put on a forcewinder, make sure the vent is ground out to a thumb sized bowl, not just a little tiny slot. Follow the jetting tips on the carb pages here. Get a 45 slow jet, turn the air fuel mixture out 2.5 turns. Your high speed jet is probably already a little on the rich side at a 200, leave it alone as it keeps your engine cooler. I wouldn't drill any holes in the slide... but to each their own. Watch your intake seals (the rubber between the carb and the engine). Don't let them leak. If your bike suddenly backfires on deceleration, pull over and try and find the header stud nut you just lost. Don't drive it far this way, or you will bust a header stud, which is annoying to fix. Make sure your belt is what looks like insanely loose. Dusty Rhodes suggests making sure you can rotate it 90 degrees, which is a decent rule of thumb. I try to load up the suspension with ratcheting straps and check it that way, which just validates the 90 degree thing. The book instructions are asking for trouble and leave the bike way too tight. If you can get to a dyno tuner, your money will probably be well spent, especially if they have an air / fuel meter. They can dial in the jetting exactly, and set the timing right. When your speedo sensor fails, check the archives here for a couple fixes for the new one. Or just get the updated part and hope its as fixed as they claim it is (jury is out). The updated shifter assembly is much nicer then what you have, the banke shifter assembly is even nicer then that. Napolean bar end mirrors work great and look better, and can handle a 15 mph low side with only minor cosmetic damage. Run Mobil 1 VTwin oil. Its the most expensive, but the best, and after all the price difference will be less then 10 bucks a year for the peace of mind. It will protect you from thrermal breakdown of the oil, which your bike will get alarmingly close too even when everything is right. Mobil 1 crankcase oil for the primary will make it shift much better, don't know if it is better or worse for the tranny. Don't be alarmed if filling the oil tank to the top results in your bike peeing it all over your leg until it is close to the bottom mark on the dipstick, where it stabalizes. Check the oil with the bike upright and hot right after a ride. Don't panic. If your brake fluid is dark, a flush is easy and will make the brakes feel much nicer. Use a torque wrench and locktite. Think about what you do, pay attention to the way the bike runs and sounds, learn about how it works and what to watch for. Don't ride at redline for extended periods. If you want a 150hp race bike, go buy a GSXR1whatever, and sell your Buell to somebody who will appreciate it. You will just grenade it trying to ride it like a state of the art race bike. Better stop now... I am degrading into a rant... Bill | ||
| Buellzebub |
I'm satisfied with the S1's so far, but my frame of reference is rigid shovels and norton flat trackers. i've had just about all i can take with the Canadian parts monopoly though. the S1 was a great bike, too bad they didn't develop it further [x1's ain't even close], maybe they plan on developing it's namesake to fill the hole left. i'll just have to wait n see. | ||
| Bigj |
Jack, That's the problem. I have met some of the most wonderful people in the world with my Buell(you certainly being at or near the top!). But I wish I could have met them some other way! | ||
| Iamike |
Wow, I recognize a lot of these names that once spoke highly of their machines. What a shame. At 29,000mi. on my S3 I consider myself one of the lucky ones. Especially since most of the time I just hop on it and ride (40mi./day commute). My one concern since I plan on keeping it (the FJR and ST1300s are in real short supply) is how long can parts be available. A few have converted the FI to carb and I guess that would be a possiblity. What happends when the ECM dies? Most other parts are fairly redily available. | ||
| Loki |
Show me on the satisfied list. Could some things have been better? Yes. Most of my issues were with the dealer(initially) and a later service dept. I guess when the M2 was stolen. If I didn't like the make, what it represents, the amount of fun, etc. etc. I would not have purchased another to replace it with. Loki | ||
| Rempss |
Satisfied. Would recommend & buy again. Jeff | ||
| Dynarider |
You know I aint anynomous, Hell I am actually kinda proud of the fact that my bitching made it all the way to the top of Buell & Harley, & this is a fact no guess work involved. Dudes, you have no idea how much our bitching about them pisses em off. If they would just treat their customers in the manner in which they would want to be treated none of this would have to happen. A lot of folks blame it all on the dealer, well guess what folks, thats harley & Buells fault for not holding their Dealers accountable for anything. Harley should make the dealers do things that sometimes the dealer doesnt want to, but they wont. They tell you the customer to go find another dealer. Why the hell should I? I spent good $$$ in this shop & I should be given the same treatment towards service that I received when I bought the damn bike. They will kiss your ass to make a sale, but when it breaks they will flip you off & basically tell you to go fuck yourself. That just aint right. | ||
| Clydeglide |
Dissatisfied Had a problem even Buell's ace tech line guy couldn't fix. After he blamed the customer, then the bike. He says, "They're all like that". I remind him she's been riding it for 2 and a half years but only complaining for about a month. He then suggested "take a known good X1 and start swapping parts"..pure genius. What a waste of a long distance call. Buell now gone. Anyway, rode the 'Busa home. Got on the Hog while wife rides new bike. After 4 miles we finally got a red lite long enough to talk. She flips up her visor, her eyes wide, a smile I haven't seen in a while and says, "This is a NIICE bike. Why can't Harley do this? And to Court, A dissatisfied customer tells the next eight people he/she sees (whether known to this person or not) how bad the product is. A satisfied customer tells four. Usually family or close friends. Do the math. Sometimes I wish we coulda kept the Buell, glad its gone, certainly won't buy another. I could go on but whats the point. | ||
| Kelly |
Amen Clyde.... | ||
| Snail |
Court, we've had time for adequate discussion, how about preparing a simple poll? One man, one vote, two choices, (satisfied, not satisfied). Paul | ||
| Dynarider |
Posted by Manhatten Mike on Sac.... Court thinks there's a dozen unhappy Buell owners? His a nice guy and all, and i like him, but i don't think he shouldn't be off his Medication, it's affecting his sense of perception. | ||
| Dynarider |
Hows about, Will buy another Buell Wont buy another Buell | ||
| José_Quiñones |
A three year warranty would do wonders........ | ||
| Ferris |
...because of this venue, I rode my S1 up to Portland for Ferris's blue groove (over 100 Buells and Erik in attendance, what a sight going thru the twistys with that group)... Jack, Blue Groove/Northwest was one of the hardest, most demanding, stressful, impossible, satisfying, fun, euphoric and unforgettably glorious events in my life -- thanks for the memories BigJ, great to see your name on here again, altho wish it was under funner circumstances. drop me an e-mail sometime, k? regarding the subject at hand, i hope the folks at the factory are listening -- there's a bunch of discontent here that SHOULDN'T be here, i'm thinkin'. me? i've been satisfied enough with my Buell experience so far that i'm gonna buy another one. FB | ||
| José_Quiñones |
I think Buell has a good idea of how many "unsatisfied" owners there are out there, with that little survey that they send out each year. I only got it once, I think they know where I was coming from and there was no point in sending me another one. | ||
| Rocketman |
I've had my serving of shit too, on several occasions, including right now, but at the end of the day there just isn't any other motorcycle on the planet that comes close to the S Lightning Buells, so for me it comes down to 2 points...... can you afford to fix it when it breaks, and can you put up with the down time whilst it's broken ? I've got to hand it to 'Anon', he put it beautifully.................... 'I like that my Buell is the embodiment of someone's vision of what a motorcycle should be. It's not perfect and sure as shit isn't as reliable as my jap bikes, but I couldn't care less. It's the coolest, most bad-ass motherfucker in my garage and talks to me in a way no other vehicle does. Buells stir passionate feelings because they have character and a personality all their own...something that is fairly unique. When it fails you take it personally. GREAT POST ANON ! Anyone that doesn't understand it shouldn't be owning a Buell, IMO !!! As for my own Buell issues, I'm to confused to work out if I'm satisfied or not  Rocket | ||
| Miked |
I have been riding on an off since 1965. Currently own a 2001 M2. What a great bike. 2,200 miles and no problems other than speedo senser. The Dunlops however are terrible tires. Love the sound of the harley engine and the precise handling. Would recommend it without reservation. |
